XTAL Goes Wireless – The First Professional Wireless Headset is Here

January  2, 2023, US/Czech Republic 

Vrgineers, an established manufacturer of the most advanced Virtual and Mixed Reality headsets for professionals, in cooperation with the company IMRNext brings to life the new wireless XTAL headset. The release of this high-fidelity wireless virtual reality headset is happening at the CES 2023 show, in Las Vegas. 

The upward trend in the VR industry is to switch from tethered to standalone headsets to lower overall costs and raise the users’ comfort level. In comparison to the solutions available on the market, the new wireless XTAL targets high-end customers, who are unable to run their demanding applications from mobile cores and need fully performing computers to calculate VR content.  

XTAL 3 Virtual Reality 

“As a supplier to the defense industry, we strongly believe that the wireless XTAL will be the best choice for such use cases as machine and aircraft maintenance, rescue or firefighting operations as well as special forces training. Everywhere, where the total immersion, freedom, and high performance, is a must,” explains Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO. 

Vrgineers XTAL natively runs 4K resolution per eye, which requires a very substantial bitrate. For a smooth wireless experience, Vrgineers developed a special mode running a compressed resolution of 2560×1440 at 70 Hz per eye, which IMRNext proprietary technology transmits using Wi-Fi 6E. Instead of placing the antenna on the head as known with other headsets, Vrgineers decided to create an on-belt module, which includes a powerful battery pack, with adjustable power capacity and wireless antennas. Therefore, the overall weight of the headset remains the same, while wearing an extra weight on the belt makes wireless usage very convenient. The prototype showed at CES weighs 920 grams, like the size of an SLR camera. However, the expected final version will weigh under 500 grams and will be a similar size as a mobile phone. The computer connects one USB and Display Port from the GPU into a proprietary IMRNext Wi-Fi Access Point, which converts the signal into Wi-Fi 6E and streams it directly to the on-belt module.

“IMRNext is excited to be working alongside Vrgineers to bring wireless streaming to the XTAL. The high resolution and fidelity of the XTAL demand a high-performance and robust wireless solution which IMRNext is uniquely positioned to provide. Freeing the cable from the XTAL will enable more dynamic use case scenarios and enhance the quality of single-user and multi-user simulation and training exercises.” says Phil Purdy, IMRNext Director of Engineering and Delivery. 

Potential customers can place their pre-orders using business@vrgineers.com, with an expected delivery in Q3 2023. 

Because Vrgineers is also working on Somnium VR1 development, the same wireless technology will be available as an add-on module for this headset after its release.

Please visit https://vrgineers.com for further information or contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.com

About Vrgineers:

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T-6 Texan to the F-35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jetfighter, or airliner, and include a fully functional cockpit replica.

About IMRNext: 

IMRNext’s hardware and software is a complete cable replacement solution that provides bidirectional video, audio and control to enable next-level user immersion. Our world-first, patented technology is a game changer. IMRNext enables lightning-fast compression, pixel-perfect resolution and a seamless user experience on any network. From R&D to full turnkey solutions, IMRNext is designed to fit in at any level of your technology stack. Learn about how we collaborate with clients to unlock new possibilities for their products in XR and home entertainment, to training, engineering and beyond. IMRNext is redefining what’s possible in wireless media and data streaming.

Somnium VR1 Headset Development Kit available at CES 2023 (booth nr. 15167, Central Hall, Tech East) 

A successful virtual reality Metaverse platform, Somnium Space, known for its open and decentralized market principles based on blockchain, will reveal its latest functional DevKit and final design of VR1 headset at CES. Visitors can have a look into the headset to test high resolution VR picture clarity and its state-of-the-art mixed reality camera modules quality. 

Somnium VR1 PC VR headset visualization 

Somnium VR1 is an open-source high-end PCVR headset with high-resolution displays, special custom non-fresnel, crystal clear lenses, eye tracking, hand tracking, and a modular design allowing users to change, add or modify many parts of the headset. Additionally, Somnium Space will give access to the majority of sensors allowing advanced users to create custom mixed-reality experiences. Full specifications are the following:  

• Display: 2× 3.2″ 2880 × 2880 Fast LCD. Horizontal FOV 120°, Vertical FOV 100° 
• Pass-through cameras: 2× 3864 × 2192, 90 FPS (foveated transport), FOV 120° × 100° 
• Ultraleap hand tracking 
• Custom made eye tracking            
• WiFi 6e 
• Wireless PC VR Streaming 
• Native wired PC Mode (lossless) 
• Native SteamVR & OpenXR support  
• 3x USB-C 10 Gbps for external accessories (USB 3.2 Gen2) 
• Integrated high-quality stereo microphones
• Headphone jack 
• Custom-made head strap with included in-ear headphones 
• 3 modular customizable and 3D printable anchor points 

“We are dedicated to bringing the most versatile and robust headset on the market. This headset is aimed at enthusiasts, who want to fully own their VR hardware and those, who like to tinker with their hardware and software to get the most out of their experience. I am sure, that with such amazing visuals and industrial design, those who are true fans of VR will gladly join the community of Somnium VR1 headset owners” – says Artur Sychov,  Somnium Space CEO. 

“Due to supply chain constraints and more complex than expected negotiations with key suppliers, Somnium Space has decided to focus its efforts fully on a PCVR headset for its first release and postpone the release of a standalone version. Somnium continues R&D for a standalone version of VR1 headset and will bring more information after the official release of PCVR version in 2023″ Artur Sychov adds.  

The Somnium Space partnered with the leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems Vrgineers, Inc. and 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research to enhance the development of a new cutting-edge open-source VR headset. This new VR headset aims to change the restrictive politics in the virtual reality market in general, which was established by big corporate and centralized entities. As a reaction to these restrictions, the Somnium VR1 headset will be built on as open and modular platform as possible. All the three companies will jointly exhibit at the booth nr. 15167, Central Hall, Tech East.   

“The goal of this collaboration is to provide VR enthusiasts and the whole community the ability to make their own headset without big corporation restrictions.” explains Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO.  

The concept of this revolutionary Somnium VR1 headset is based on the availability of the 3D headset data. The VR enthusiasts will be able to easily download the 3D parts from Prusa website and purchase electronical components, sensors, and lenses directly from Somnium not just for building their own headset but also for its future maintenance and upgrades.  

The whole project is solely funded by Somnium Space and is positioned as an alternative to centralized VR hardware manufacturers with closed platforms, which are trying to limit applications and slowdown innovation. 

Somnium VR1 PCV headset visualization with Destek headstrap. 

Somnium VR1 will be able to upgrade with Mixed Reality Module, hand tracking or even a wireless connection using WiFi6, which will be presented at the CES show using the XTAL headset.  

About Somnium Space: 

Somnium Space is the world’s first open, social and persistent Virtual Reality platform built on blockchain. Its unique decentralized NFT-based economy allows users to own, trade, and exchange digital items in a permissionless way. It is a Virtual Reality universe shaped & built entirely by its players!  

About Prusa Research: 

Prusa Research is a 3D printing company based in Prague, Czech Republic. It was founded in 2012 as a one-man startup by Josef Prusa, one of the core developers of the open-source project RepRap, and has grown to a team of over 700 now. His open-sourced Prusa i3 design is the most used 3D printer in the world. The company ships more than 10,000 Original Prusa printers per month to over 160 countries directly from Prague.  

About Vrgineers: 

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed-reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T-6 Texan to the F-35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica.  

Vrgineers and multiSIM Deliver the Unclassified F-35-like Mixed Reality Trainer

November 29,  2022, USA/Prague, Czech Republic

With a growing fleet of 5th-generation fighters, there is an urgent need to prepare pilots in a faster, more efficient manner to operate sophisticated airplanes such as the F-35 Lightning II. Vrgineers Inc. is recognized as a technological leader in professional pilot training, and for the first time presents an unclassified F-35-like Classroom 2.0 Trainer at I/ITSEC in Orlando. The simulator software consists of the high-fidelity D-SIM flight simulation framework developed by multiSIM BV in The Netherlands. 

This combination resulted in a unique solution that is not part of the official F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter programme (JSF). Meaning that the trainer does not include any classified information, however, is still able to achieve the following:   

• Basic flight & systems demos & training  

• Mission simulation and rehearsal  
• Type-specific hypoxia training  
• Distributed Command & Control training  
• Human Factors training  
• HOTAS rehearsal  

And, thanks to its usage of the XTAL Mixed Reality technology and fully functional cockpit replica, an unbelievable level of immersion is added. Together with a very favorable price point, which is a fraction of the cost of the official FMS (Full Mission Simulator), these trainers are a great supplement, which can be obtained on top of official JSF equipment.  

The Vrgineers trainers’ main advantage from the pilots’ point of view is their convenience of usage and unrestricted access. Thanks to their affordability, modern air forces can purchase whole simulation squadrons, having 12 interconnected trainers. This way airmen can set up training scenarios and start mission rehearsal anytime.  

The Classroom, instead of the old-fashioned LCD-based simulators, grants the training facilities the opportunity to equip the class with more than one particular aircraft simulator. The platform can be modified to any wing or rotorcraft by swapping the central and side panels. This gives the commands a huge advantage to train their pilots and cadets faster and more efficiently or train the whole unit at the same time.   

The HMD XTAL integrated into every Vrgineers Classroom Trainer empowers the pilot to take advantage of unlimited movements and views. The true-to-life picture, the 180-field-of-view, 4K per eye, eye tracking, and the mixed reality module comply with the requirements of the next-generation pilot training.   

Software delivered by multiSIM brings further added value to the project since the company specializes in software development of Open-Simulation that allows the customer to access the simulator data and processes enabling fast development of simulator training solutions and easy integration into existing trainers and hardware.   

The unique combination of the Vrgineers Classroom 2.0 Trainer and the multiSIM software is useful for custom training like hypoxia awareness training, distributed mission training, or F-35-related research applications.  

Foreign Air Forces can directly approach Lockheed Martin and ask for this unofficial solution, which can be incorporated and delivered under the official deliveries on top of the official solution. This is possible thanks to Vrgineers and Lockheed Martin cooperation and the fact that this trainer was partially co-developed under SBIR Lightweight or Modular Simulators AF203-DCSO2 topic. This also allows the Air Force to source this solution directly from Vrgineers.  

“The integration of D-SIM and D-World software into Classroom 2.0 Trainer creates the best unofficial solution for super-smooth, high-fidelity F-35-like flight simulation for distributed training,” says Mark Wentink, multiSIM CEO together with Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO.  

 About multiSim: 

MultiSIM is an engineering company from the Netherlands that builds high-tech training and research simulation for customers worldwide. With a team of mainly Aerospace Engineers they develop the D-SIM and D-World simulation framework as a core for highly innovative, distributed simulation solutions 

About Vrgineers:  

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T-6 Texan to the F-35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica. All simulators employ the virtual and mixed reality XTAL™ headset with the highest fidelity, resolution, and widest field of view available. The latest XTAL™ 3 won the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award in 2020. Vrgineers actively improves the training experience for clients like the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, NASA, and other technological pioneers. Recognized as a technological leader, Vrgineers was selected by the Small Business Innovative Research program within the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to develop a next-generation mixed reality pilot training solution, and by the U.S. Air Force to deliver multi-purpose reconfigurable simulators. Aside from the aerospace industry, Vrgineers’ technologies are being used to design revolutionary products and remotely control heavy machinery. The company delivered virtual reality solutions for brands such as Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, McLaren, RedBull, and Westfield. 

 For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.cz

Advanced Mixed Reality Apache Trainer

November 22, 2022, USA/Prague, Czech Republic

Vrgineers and DigiFlight have teamed to produce a modern and comprehensive training solution for the most survivable multi-role attack helicopter in the world.  With over 1200 aircraft currently in service the Advanced Mixed Reality Apache Trainer (AMRAT) will accelerate training pilots with high fidelity MR solutions and therefore significantly reduce the number of aircraft hours normally required to support training individual and crew tasks.

The AMRAT is built on a proprietary portable platform designed by Vrgineers, which was originally created for the USAF.  It provides the most affordable, immersive, and realistic experience offered on the market today without expensive visual display systems, complicated support systems, or unique facility design requirements. The trainer includes two separate but interconnected crew stations, (the pilot and co-pilot gunner station), with replicated switches, panels, flight instruments, and displays connected to a computer and integrated virtual reality image generator. Currently, it is supported by a leading vendor of immersive, flight simulator software, ED Mission Systems.

This novel product is the resultant cooperation between Vrgineers, (an innovative manufacturer of flight training simulators), and DigiFlight, a technology company with extensive worldwide pilot training experience. “We strongly feel that by combining our skills, we are able to deliver a training device capable of supporting Apache training tasks including individual and crew skills, preparing them to operate in any environment, fulfilling critical mission requirements,” explains Marek Polcak, CEO of Vrgineers. 

The Future of Possible:

“The possibility to conduct a seamless mixed reality environment with a portable haptic flight seat run by a true-to-life simulation engine ensures the pilot’s proficiency, but most importantly delivers the sensation of a unique and genuine experience encompassing complex operational scenarios. This enables our users to save time and effort along with minimizing the cost of training infrastructure and related running hours,” says Matthias Techmanski, ED Mission Systems Director, and Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO, adds: “Similar type of modern trainer is expected to play a crucial role of pilot training in the future. Not only for Apache, but for Defiant (LMCO & Boeing) and Valor (Bell) which are currently being developed and competing in future vertical lift program in the U.S.”

So for the very first time, Vrgineers and DigiFlight will jointly present a conceptional MR Apache Trainer, at I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida!

Advanced Mixed Reality Apache Trainer

Fused, Overlayed Virtual Video Data 

About Vrgineers

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed-reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T6 Texan to the F35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica. All simulators employ the virtual and mixed reality XTAL™ headset with the highest fidelity, resolution, and widest field of view available. The latest XTAL™ 3 won the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award in 2020. Vrgineers actively improves the training experience for clients like the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, NASA, and other technological pioneers. Recognized as a technological leader, Vrgineers was selected by the Small Business Innovative Research program within the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to develop a next-generation mixed reality pilot training solution, and by the U.S. Air Force to deliver multi-purpose reconfigurable simulators. Aside from the aerospace industry, Vrgineers’ technologies are being used to design revolutionary products and remotely control heavy machinery. The company delivered virtual reality solutions for brands such as Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, McLaren, RedBull, and Westfield.

 About DigiFlight, INC.

DigiFlight accelerates mission success for its government and commercial customers by leveraging innovative ideas and technologies that embrace the competitive landscape surrounding Aerospace, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Training. Our unique core competencies enable us to deliver leadership and innovation for programs focused on Aerospace Technical & Acquisition Solutions, Compliant Architectures, Cybersecurity Hunt & Incident Response, Systems & Software Development, Systems Engineering & Technical Assistance, and Test & Evaluation. Our Vision is to Become one of the premier U.S.-based companies known for success in leadership and innovation for programs and projects focused on Cyber, Aerospace, and Information Technology, globally; reliable solutions featuring creation and development, using advanced technologies skillfully demonstrating, the best business value and practices, resource conservation, environmental safeguards, and nationwide security. Our Culture embraces integrity, innovative solutions, and always putting the customer first. Over the past decade, we have focused on building trusted reputations with our clients and partners to accelerate mission success. 

Established in 1999, DigiFlight is a Veteran-owned Minority Small Business with offices in Columbia, MD, and Huntsville, AL.

For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.cz

Somnium Space partners with Vrgineers and Prusa Research to develop its open source “Somnium VR One” headset 

September 12, 2022, US/UK/Czech Republic

The Somnium Space, one of the world’s leading immersive metaverses, has partnered with the leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems Vrgineers, Inc. and 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research to further enhance the development of a new cutting-edge open-source (standalone & PC wired) headset. This new VR headset aims to change the restrictive politics in the virtual reality market in general, which was established by big corporate and centralized entities such as Meta’s (former Facebook). As a reaction to these restrictions, the Somnium VR One headset will be built on as open a platform as possible. The Somnium VR One aims to provide a superb immersive experience while working in both standalone and tethered mode without any restrictions. It will be sold under an unlimited commercial license using Android as an open-source operating system. Thanks to the fact the source code will be openly available, the solution will be perfect for the commercial sphere.

“Each user deserves to fully own hardware they buy and be able to customize, repair and enhance it anytime. We would like to provide an unrestrictive hardware and software environment to all VR enthusiasts around the world. 3D models of the headset parts will be available so that any user with access to a 3D printer can print them out.  Android OS source codes will be in a public GIT, this is the freedom for metaverses, where we plan to spend much more time in the future,” explains Sychov, Somnium Space Founder & CEO. 

CEO Prusa Research, Josef Prusa has the same approach towards open-sources: “We would like to see other products, such as virtual reality headsets, follow the same open-source, community approach as our Prusa printers. Anyone will be able to download a 3D model of the Somnium Space headset from Printables.com and print them at home on their printer.” 

In order to be cost effective, the Electronics and proprietary lenses will be mass manufactured in partnership with Vrgineers and sold by Somnium Space online. Meaning that anyone with the ambition of building their own headset can purchase these components and build the headset by themselves. On the other hand, all customers will be able to purchase a fully assembled Somnium Space headset directly. 

“This project is based on a solid foundation of Vrgineers technical expertise in manufacturing virtual and mixed reality headsets for professionals and backed by direct investments into Vrgineers by Somnium Space and Prusa Research,” adds Polcak, Vrgineers CEO. 

About Vrgineers:

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T-6 Texan to the F-35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica.  Vrgineers was co-founded in 2017 by CEO Marek Polcak and currently employs an international team of 50 specialists that combine a high level of technical skills (mostly Ph.D. & Engineer graduates) with industry professionals.  

About the XTAL™ 

Designed for professional use, the XTAL™ headset delivers unlimited capabilities for military clients. Equipped with 8K resolution, a 180° field of view, and automatically adjustable lenses, the XTAL™ provides unprecedented immersive experiences, thus positioning itself at the forefront of professional visualization equipment for simulations. 

Offering a high degree of customization, Vrgineers can deliver individual projects where the XTAL™ is adapted to specific requirements, such as mounting goggles to the pilot’s helmet or an oxygen mask or even using it for space exploration. Trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, Vrgineers’ technologies provide the highest possible level of immersion and are employed by organizations such as NASA, Airbus Defense & Space, and BAE Systems. 

About Somnium Space:

Somnium Space is the world’s first open, social and persistent Virtual Reality platform built on blockchain. Its unique decentralized NFT based economy allows users to own, trade and exchange digital items in a permissionless way. It is a Virtual Reality universe shaped & built entirely by its players!

About Prusa Research:

Prusa Research is a 3D printing company based in Prague, Czech Republic. It was founded in 2012 as a one-man startup by Josef Prusa, one of the core developers of the open source project RepRap, and has grown to a team of over 700 now. His open-sourced Prusa i3 design is the most used 3D printer in the world. The company ships more than 10,000 Original Prusa printers per month to over 160 countries directly from Prague.

For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.cz

The New Era of Pilot Training in Africa Thanks to the Virtual and Mixed Reality Training Facility

South African flying training provider, Starlite Aviation Academy, have become the first company in Africa to operate a dedicated VR mission training facility for use with their defence customers which incorporates the latest cutting edge technology. Starlites trainees will now be taught foundation and advanced flying techniques on the new version of the reconfigurable trainer developed by Vrgineers, a leader in delivering virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems for professional and military clients, alongside British company CHS Tactical LTD. 

Humanitarian and peace support training courses in the military and governmental field in Africa, can now be conducted in virtual and mixed reality. Starlite Aviation Academy, one of Africa’s largest providers of fixed and rotary wing flying training, purchased four helicopter & two fixed wing simulators, complete with the latest suite of dynamic environment software, and full instructor operating stations, for under 1 million USD. This places Starlite Aviation Academy at the forefront of this cutting edge technology. 

“The addition of this capability to Starlite Aviation Training Academy’s suite of services offered to clients, will provide a full value-chain offering that the company intends to expand throughout Africa and beyond its current provision of quality training services in Mossel Bay. This is only the first step and is testament to the company and its partners’ commitment to investing in technology and new innovative platforms for the provision of aviation training to service our client’s needs,” says CEO Starlite Aviation Academy Gareth Schenhage. 

The trainer that has been purchased by Starlite Aviation Academy is the newer version of the popular reconfigurable trainer earlier developed by Vrgineers. It is based on the existing Classroom Trainer platform which was displayed earlier last year in Orlando, US, at the I/ITSEC conference, where it received excellent reviews.

The simulator which was delivered to the US Air Force for F-15, F-16 and F-35 pilot training, was further modified to support simpler rotary and fixed wing platforms. Multiple iterations were tested during the development cycle to try and reduce the costs associated, without jeopardising any of the core features, whilst at the same time, ensuring it maintained its reconfigurable element. 

Starlite Aviation Academy will use their simulators alongside the courses provided by CHS Tactical company: “Our foundation & advanced courses have each been designed to be three weeks long, with a mixture of theoretical classroom based studies utilising the latest learning management systems, and culminating in an intense simulator package which has been designed to test the trainees airmanship, decision making, and thought process prior to them continuing their live training on more complex systems with Starlite,” says CEO CHS Tactical Chris Phipps. 

Despite the initial costs Starlite will save a significant amount of money when directly compared to operating the same sortie in the live aircraft. There are also other benefits for example, being able to pause things or even reset if things aren’t going to plan and capture the mission data to use as part of the detailed mission after-action review. Pilots will receive tuition in advanced techniques, such as aircraft survivability and threat evasion. Elements such as these will provide them with the foundations needed in how to operate helicopters in complex mission environments as both military and civil aviators. 

The crowning accompaniment to the simulators is the inclusion of Vrgineers newest XTAL™ headset which has been developed in cooperation with a team of international military pilots and is the first-ever pilot-dedicated headset on the market. “The XTAL 3 offers an extended field of view of 180° horizontal and 90° vertical, currently the widest visual field on the market for professional simulations. In combination with two 4K resolution displays and a pair of 4K mixed reality cameras, it delivers an outstanding visual experience,” says CEO and co-founder Vrgineers Marek Polcak. 

For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.cz

Notes to Editors:

About Vrgineers

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients. Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T-6 Texan to the F-35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica.   

Vrgineers actively improves the training experience for clients like the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, NASA, and other technological pioneers. Recognized as a technological leader, Vrgineers was selected by the Small Business Innovative Research program within the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to develop a next-generation mixed reality pilot training solution, and by the U.S. Air Force to deliver multi-purpose reconfigurable simulators. 

About Starlite Aviation Academy

Starlite Aviation Academy is one of Africa’s largest providers of fixed and rotary wing flying training. They are working closely with UK based CHS Tactical LTD to deliver a bespoke mission training facility at their Mossel Bay location in South Africa, so they can deliver humanitarian and peace support training courses to their military and governmental customers.

About CHS Tactical 

CHS Tactical Ltd provide bespoke in-country training packages utilising their advanced VR & MR Training systems. Operating with significantly lower overheads than conventional training methods, but still maintaining the very high standards associated with the UK Military Flying Training System. All of CHS Tactical’s Instructors are graduates of the UK’s world renowned Central Flying School and have many years experience in delivering high quality instruction to military aircrew. This capability allows for the delivery of high quality, realistic and completely immersive training solutions, aimed at foundation level, as well as the continued development of experienced aviators.

Vrgineers developed a unique next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training system. The solution consists of the newest version of Vrgineers’ XTAL™ 3, and Lockheed Martin’s groundbreaking Prepar3D visual simulation platform.

Vrgineers’ XTAL™ leads the industry with a 180° field of view and two 4K resolution displays, offering extreme clarity and unparalleled fidelity. It is the first time a physical cockpit has been fused with a wide field of view mixed reality headset that provides a supremely 1:1 immersive simulation.

Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D version 5 supports XTAL™ 3 mixed reality technology out of the box. This unique combination offers realistic haptic feedback thanks to the ability to see your own hands and therefore interact with the physical instrument panel. Cadets find themselves in a completely immersive environment that allows them to train muscle memory. 

Created for the F-15, F-16 and F-35, this platform is now being rolled out for other modern aircraft. The advanced mixed reality capabilities of the XTAL™ 3 has resulted in it being adopted by Pison Technology (www.pison.com) as the core headset and mixed reality solution for two distinct Phase II SBIR Program R&D contracts that collectively seek to develop advanced simulation technologies for manned flight simulators, funded by AFWERX (Contract No. FA8621-21-C-0052) for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy (Contract No. N6833521C0217).

“Flying with the XTAL™ in a full-motion hydraulic sim and rolling in on a low-level bombing run literally felt like I was back in the cockpit, heart rate elevated, mental focus 100% on threat avoidance and target acquisition – incredible,” commented Bryant Church, U.S. Navy Aviator.

As a result of this joint effort, every existing Prepar3D user will experience a seamless transition when switching from data-projectors or display-based simulators to the XTAL™. Moreover, Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D version 5 supports XTAL™ mixed reality technology out of the box, which unleashes unlimited training potential when used with a physical instrument panel.

Vrgineers are pushing the envelope of what is possible in a simulation while keeping costs in mind. “Such a setup, with a fully operational cockpit and XTAL™ mixed reality solution combined with Prepar3D is less expensive than a standard dome installation and has a smaller footprint” says Marek Polčák, CEO of Vrgineers. “Thanks to these improvements, time spent in simulators is expected to grow rapidly, saving flight and maintenance costs and improving pilots’ battle-readiness to unprecedented levels,” Polčák added.

For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

Zuzana Kasparova

T: +420 773 068 497

E: media@vrgineers.cz

Notes to Editors:

About Vrgineers

Vrgineers, Inc. is a leader in delivering next-generation virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems (Synthetic Training Environment, STE) to professional and military clients.   

Vrgineers’ pilot training solution includes portable trainers ready to be packed and taken on missions; reconfigurable classroom simulators that support almost all platforms, from the T6 Texan to the F35; and custom 1:1 simulators that are built specifically for any type of helicopter, jet-fighter, or airliner, and include a fully-functional cockpit replica.   

All simulators employ the virtual and mixed reality XTAL™ headset with the highest fidelity, resolution, and widest field of view available. The latest XTAL™ 3 won the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award in 2020. 

Vrgineers actively improves the training experience for clients like the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, NASA, and other technological pioneers. Recognized as a technological leader, Vrgineers was selected by the Small Business Innovative Research program within the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to develop a next-generation mixed reality pilot training solution, and by the U.S. Air Force to deliver multi-purpose reconfigurable simulators. 

Aside from the aerospace industry, Vrgineers’ technologies are being used to design revolutionary products and remotely control heavy machinery. The company delivered virtual reality solutions for brands such as Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, McLaren, RedBull, and Westfield. 

Vrgineers was co-founded in 2017 by CEO Marek Polčák and currently employs an international team of 50 specialists that combine a high level of technical skills (mostly Ph.D. & Engineer graduates) with industry professionals. 

About the XTAL™

Designed for professional use, the XTAL™ headset delivers unlimited capabilities for military clients. Equipped with 8K resolution, a 180° field of view, and automatically adjustable lenses, the XTAL™ provides unprecedented immersive experiences, thus positioning itself on the forefront of professional visualization equipment for simulations.

Offering a high degree of customization, Vrgineers can deliver individual projects where the XTAL™ is adapted to specific requirements, such as mounting goggles to the pilot’s helmet or an oxygen mask or even using it for space exploration. Trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, Vrgineers’ technologies provide the highest possible level of immersion, and are employed by organizations such as NASA, Airbus Defense & Space, and BAE Systems.

Vrgineers, a leader in delivering virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems for professional and military clients, announces the launch of the XTAL™ 3 VR and MR headset, a game changer in enhanced pilot training.

The newest XTAL™ has been developed in cooperation with a team of international Air Force pilots. Thanks to their input, Vrgineers has unleashed the potential of virtual reality simulations and paves the way for the next generation of mixed reality pilot trainers. Trainees and cadets can learn the crafts of avionics in the most realistic simulations available as the XTAL™ 3 brings the most true-to-life experiences with the first-ever pilot-dedicated headset on the market. The incorporated mixed reality technology allows pilots to see their hands and interact with instrument panels, learn proper motor skills, and practice standard procedures. The basis of this technology embodies two front-facing pass-through high-resolution cameras. The responses of pilots wearing the XTAL™ 3 in the simulated environment are nearly identical to real situations, teaching the decision-making processes required to gain air superiority. This was achieved thanks to the XTAL™ 3’s unique combination of high fidelity with a wide field of view, providing the highest level of immersion and situational awareness.

Moreover, the XTAL™ 3 offers an extended field of view of 180° horizontal and 90° vertical, currently the widest visual field on the market for professional simulations. In combination with two 4K resolution displays and a pair of 4K mixed reality cameras, it delivers an outstanding visual experience.

The combination of the proprietary Vrgineers lenses embedded in the XTAL™ 3, and advanced warping algorithms provide high fidelity undistorted images that can be enhanced by additional corrective lenses inserts. Thanks to this feature, pilots who would normally wear glasses can train without the discomfort of having their nose compressed while seeing a perfect picture.

The headset frame is made of lightweight compounds, ensuring comfort, and avoiding neck tension during mission training. The ergonomics were fine-tuned based on feedback from pilots to sustain multiple hours of training.

Even though the design of the newest XTAL™ 3 has changed, Vrgineers kept its recognizable curves and unmistakable shape. Furthermore, the company was able to significantly reduce the weight of the unit and equip the XTAL™ with proprietary inside-out tracking. This very convenient feature offers a pair of fast-switching infrared cameras positioned on the lower edge under the central cover. The XTAL™ 3 currently supports inside-out tracking, Optitrack, ART Tracking and Vicon. Vrgineers plans to integrate Lighthouse tracking later this year.

“The central cover of the headset is removable and reconfigurable, making it possible to change the headset from purely virtual to mixed reality, or replace inside-out tracking with ULTRALEAP hand tracking.” CEO and co-founder Marek Polcak notes and adds: “We can assure all our clients that the XTAL™ 3 will be compatible with all existing and future technologies they might need while maintaining the highest levels of comfort and convenience.”

Additional functionality, such as a proprietary eye-tracking system with unique one-dot calibration for IPD (inter-pupillary distance) adjustment and foveated rendering are supported as well. The gathered information can be further processed and visualized in heatmaps to be utilized for analyses.

“Our new one-dot calibration removes the biggest obstacle to the wide adoption of foveated rendering technology. The major bottleneck has always been the time-consuming calibration process necessary before every use of the foveated rendering feature. The XTAL™ 3 calibration process uses unique one-dot calibration that creates a virtual mathematical model of the user’s face allowing us to calculate precise calibration formulas for eye tracking,” Polcak explains.

The XTAL™ 3 brings multiple new features and advancements to the immersive realm and brings us one step closer to the Ready Player One experience.

For further info, interviews, and images, please contact:

T: +420 776 633 119

E: marketing@vrgineers.com

Images & Videos – link

European Air Services Operates the Most Advanced Mixed Reality F-16 Simulator

VRgineers delivered European Air Services (EAS) the game–changing mixed reality simulator, which is combined from the latest version of F–16 BLOCK 70 physical cockpit and the XTAL headset. European Air Services, one of the leading players in the European market for pilot training, purchased the simulator as part of its initiative to keep its Air Force up to date with the latest technological advancements, operate a multi-role fighter to fulfil its missions, and support NATO membership. As physical pilot training gets more expensive, this new kind of training platform shortens training time and increases efficiency. 

A partnership was formed between VRgineers, Lockheed Martin, and VAE Controls to create the next generation of pilot trainers. The key element in this collaboration was the XTAL headset from VRgineers. The flagship product, a virtual and mixed reality headset with the highest fidelity, 8K resolution, and market-leading 180° field of view available, offering VRgineers a unique advantage in their Synthetic Training Environment (STE) solution. This unparalleled image quality, and superior immersion increases situational awareness and eliminates negative training. The whole simulator is built on a raised platform which provides a sense of g-force and uses Polhemus Viper tracking from a real F-16 which brings a realistic and immersive environment.  

Lukáš Rácz, Flight Simulator Operation Manager, Slovak Training Academy has commented:  

„Training in a mixed reality simulator gives me a realistic training experience comparable to flying in a real plane. Using an F-16 simulator, I can rehearse tactical operations, which would otherwise be impossible to prepare for in the real world except for in a simulated environment. The EAS VRgineers F-16 simulator feels incredibly natural. I was able to fully operate the cockpit with my hands and train in any scenario I could imagine. I am sure that these simulators will change the future of pilot training.“ 

In reaction to this purchase, VRgineers CEO and founder Marek Polčák has commented: 

On behalf of VRgineers, we are very proud that we could work with European Air Services and Lockheed Martin on the creation of a new type of F-16 Block 70 mixed reality trainer. This simulator is unique from multiple standpoints. It is the first simulator of its kind in the world, combining wide field of view with a fully functioning cockpit replica that the pilot can interact with. The XTAL headset is cornerstone of this solution offering a market leading 180° field of view and 8K resolution. This unique combination provides a latency free training experience and eliminates negative training.  

Jozef Dzuruš, CEO of European Air Services remarked:  

Our company provides aviation training for pilots and maintainers. Our company is the only civilian operator of U.S. Blackhawk helicopters in Europe. Our fleet has 24 helicopters which allows us to provide a comprehensive training program.  Based on our successful rotary-wing training, we have begun to develop advanced training for fixed-wing pilots. We decided to cooperate with VRgineers to develop the most advanced simulator for the F-16 platform. It is the first simulator in the world which combines a physical cockpit with mixed reality technology. While we were developing the simulator, we intended that this unique technology would be used as part of training programs for F-16 military pilots across European countries.  

VRgineers and NovBox introducing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals

PARIS & LAS VEGAS

NovBox, a French brand offering a wide range of travel suitcases for professionals within virtual reality and movies production, and VRgineers, a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing VR gear for professionals have built XTAL NovBox, a combination of the ultimate XTAL 8K 180° secured in a heavy duty, military grade suitcase including a fully equipped high-end virtual reality station, and featuring the latest Nvidia RTX graphic cards in a convenient-to-travel package.

The combination of two state-of-the-art technologies creates a product that brings the benefits of virtual reality to processes and situations in which standard computer equipment cannot be used due to high transport requirements. An ideal example is the recruitment and training of soldiers or pilots across military bases.

This solution will also likely appeal to customers between content creators who are required to travel around the world to showcase and present their VR software, while using the full performance of a desktop PC in a convenient package. Last, but not least, it will enable training of technicians and employees in companies, where virtual reality setups need to be mobile to train everyone across the country.

“The VR world has long awaited a product which incorporates elements of a high-quality VR headset and a powerful, tough and portable computing device. The full performance of a desktop PC in an IP protected casing including display offers incredible convenience for deployment in any challenging environment. From presentations at trade shows to training near the battlefield. With the latest Nvidia RTX graphic cards included in the packaging, XTAL NovBox is a unique offering,” reveals Marek Polčák, CEO of VRgineers company.

Jean-Frédéric, NovBox company CEO added: “Our clients are constantly looking for the best of breed technologies and there is no standard offer in VR. Demand requires us to go the extra mile and at times offer bespoke solutions. With XTAL NovBox we are offering the latest Nvidia RTX graphic cards with VirtualLink which combines flawlessly with the XTAL headset for our standard international clients.“

Technical Specifications:

The enterprise-grade VR headset XTAL features:

• 8K resolution (2x4K, i.e. 3840×2160 per eye)
• 180° diagonal Field of View
• Patented aspherical non-Fresnel lenses
• Integrated hand tracking

IP67-certified Novbox PC suitcase features:

• CPU: i7 9700K or i9 9900K
• GPU: up to Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti or Quadro RTX 8000
• RAM: 32 or 64 GB DDR4
• Storage: 512 GB SSD up to 4 TB SSD M2
• Integrated monitor: 1920×1080 px
• Keyboard with pad
• Extractable PC case

About NovBox

NovBox is a French brand which launched Inno-case and APY Voyager, while also being deployed within industrial Groups such as SAFRAN (aeronautics), AFT (logistics) and SNCF (transportation). Our products include a high level of service which allows us to deliver an outstanding offer. We are constantly innovating at NovBox.

Media contact Novbox

Richard Flageul, +33 1 79 36 12 27, contact@novbox.io

 About VRgineers

Focused on Enterprise VR, VRgineers Inc. allow professionals to go beyond the limitations of simulations, design, production and training in their workspace through the use of innovative, high-end VR technology. Due to VRgineers’ exclusive, patented optical system, the XTAL produces the clearest image and provides unprecedented immersive experiences, thus positioning itself at the forefront of enterprise-ready VR products. Thanks to an innovative approach and the ability to deliver tailor-made solutions, it has appealed to organizations such as the US Air Force, NASA, Audi, Lamborghini and ŠKODA AUTO.

Media contact VRgineers

Klára Kazelle, +420 777 343 910, media@vrgineers.com, klara@kazelle.cz

XTAL headset from VRgineers wins Red Dot for outstanding design quality

Prague/Los Angeles, March 26, 2020 – The Red Dot Jury has made its decision: XTAL VR headset emerged victorious from the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020 and won a Red Dot for its good design quality. This means that VRgineers in cooperation with Jakub Stedina design studio is one of the winners in the world’s most renowned design competition. 

Triangle grid as the main motif

For more than 60 years, the Red Dot Award has been providing a platform for designers and companies to assess good design for their outstanding products.  

XTAL is a complex device that connects several areas – electronics, ergonomics, construction, algorithms or optics. It is possible that they mediate immersion, that is, credibility. XTAL brings virtual reality which is much closer to the real world. “It is like magic because XTAL headset brings truly crystal clear view and the challenge for us was how to translate what you can see inside to the design of the product,” said Marek Polčák, CEO and co-founder of VRgineers and continue: “We tried to create design focusing on maximum simplicity with a crystal motif.”

“During the designing process, we decided to use the triangle grid as the main motif. The reason was simple – triangles are the core of computer graphics as well as virtual reality and for us represent crystal structure,” said Jakub Stedina, a designer from Stedina Design Studio. 

The name XTAL also refers to the appearance of glasses that resemble a crystal. There was also a simple language explanation behind the idea: Crystal glasses could be called XTAL, like Christmas being shortened to Xmas.

You can see a short video on our youtube channel.

In search of good design and innovation

In its origins, the Red Dot Award: Product Design has been finding the year’s best products since 1955. From fashion to consumer electronics, vehicles, medical technology and furniture – manufacturers and designers can submit their industrial products in 49 categories at present.

“The winners of the Red Dot Award have proved that they have created excellent products worthy of winning an award. The products won over the jury not only through their aesthetic, but also thanks to their incomparable functionality. With their designs, the award winners are setting new standards in their industry. I wish to congratulate them most sincerely on their success,” said Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder, and CEO of Red Dot.

A detailed evaluation of the products entered

The Red Dot Award: Product Design offers designers and manufacturers from all over the world a platform for assessing their products. In 2020, designers and companies from 60 countries entered more than 6,500 products in the competition. The international jury comprises experienced experts from different disciplines and has been convening for around 65 years in order to select the year’s best designs. The adjudication process lasts several days and is based on two essential criteria: The jurors test all of the entries in order to assess not just the aesthetic but also the materials selected, the level of craftsmanship, the surface structure, ergonomics, and functionality.

XTAL in exhibitions, online and in the yearbook

On 22 June 2020, XTAL will be added to the exhibition “Design on Stage” in the Red Dot Design Museum Essen, where all of the award-winning products will be on the show. The museum will thus be a hot spot for best-in-class industrial design. From that date, the winning product from VRgineers will also be presented in the online exhibition on the Red Dot website. The Red Dot 2020/2021 Yearbook is released in July 2020.

For more information about VRgineers, please visit  https://vrgineers.com. Images, press releases, and company executive bios are available at https://vrgineers.com/media. 

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

VRgineers unveils the next generation of the XTAL professional VR headset with the industry’s best resolution

– New VR Headset Features Unbeatable 8K Resolution and a unique VirtualLink cable Implementation – 

– CES Booth #21959 –

CES 2020, LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2020 – VRgineers, developers of XTAL, the industry’s most advanced professional VR headset, today introduced the latest generation of the XTAL professional VR headset. Already in use with the U.S. Department of Defense, major national aircraft simulators and leading global automobile manufacturers, this latest version of the XTAL headset incorporates the industry’s best 8K resolution combined with a unique set of new features that make it the most advanced professional VR headset available today. This includes readability optimized for the world’s most powerful GPUs such as the Quadro RTX 8000 from NVIDIA.

“Our customers are using the latest cutting edge technologies, so they expect the best from their VR solutions,” said Marek Polčák, VRgineers CEO & co-founder. “That means solutions optimized for the latest NVIDIA RTX cards with VirtualLink embedded. The latest generation of XTAL VR headset is the only solution today that meets these needs with 8K resolution.”

VRgineers introduced the original XTAL headset two years ago designed specifically for the needs of professional designers, engineers, pilots, doctors or trainers who require superior image quality and accuracy, wide field-of-view, easy integration, and data security. Whether users want to virtually design, create, prototype, teach or train, the XTAL headset offers the visual quality needed for even the most demanding tasks.

VRgineers XTAL headset now goes even further by introducing a set of breakthrough technologies:

• High-density LCD displays with unbeatable resolution 8K
• Foveated rendering capabilities
• AR mixed reality module add-on
• Improved lenses with 180º FOV
• Eye tracking capable to run up to 210 fps
• Highly accurate Leap Motion sensors
• Unique VirtualLink cable implemented
• Easy embedding to helmet for simulations

This latest generation of XTAL is the world’s first headset on the market to feature an embedded VirtualLink cable manufactured by BizLink. VirtualLink is an open industry standard developed to meet the connectivity requirements of current and next-generation virtual reality headsets. VirtualLink is a standards-based USB Type-C™ solution designed to deliver the power, display, and data required to power VR headsets through a single USB Type-C connector, providing a durable and simple connection. Instead of as many six cables, VirtualLink-enabled systems like XTAL only require a single cable to connect their systems.

XTAL headset is currently being used by variety of US Airforce airbases for pilot training. First receiver of new XTAL will be the Vance Airforce Base in Oklahoma, which ordered XTAL headsets to completely upgrade their training center. VRgineers are also participating in US NAVY and US NAVAIR R&D initiatives to invent the next generation simulator solution.

“The feeling that I got while flying the F18A in full VR mode in XTAL is really astonishing. It was so close to reality that I felt I was inside the F18A. As a pilot, that is exactly what I need to feel for training purposes,” said Capt. Taimeir, a former F18 pilot from the Swiss Airforce, CEO of Mirage Technologies.

VRgineers will be showcasing the new generation of the XTAL professional VR headset at this year’s CES 2020 in Las Vegas, January 7-10 in South Hall in booth #21959. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to arrange a time to demo the new generation of XTAL, please contact andrea.kuklova@vrgineers.com. For more information about VRgineers, please visit  https://vrgineers.com.

Images and company executive bios are available at: https://vrgineers.com/media.

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

Press contacts VRgineers

Klara Kazelle, +420 777 343 910, media@vrgineers.com

Škoda JS testing revolutionary Fata Morgana AR+VR teleportation in Nuclear Power Plant Temelín

Prague, November 26, 2019 – XTAL, virtual reality headset for professionals invented by a Czech-American company VRgineersis is now part of the Fata Morgana Project. Revolutionary technology combining AR and VR and allows virtual teleportation and share remote locations all over the world.

With Fata Morgana software, you can now be anywhere in the world instantaneously. Fata Morgana allows you to create a virtual copy of the physical environment in real-time and share it with multiple users (remote experts) across the world. This gives you the ability to communicate with them at a specific location, regardless of their geographical location. Virtual tools allow you to measure, share data in physical space and a copy of it, as well as embed augmented 3D and other models in both environments.

Technology developed by Czech start-up Pocket Virtuality on the hardware side is complemented by VR headset XTAL and AR headset Microsoft Hololens. Fata Morgana can be used in a wide range of industries from energetics and construction, through the chemical or automotive industries to rescue systems, allowing multiple people to work together in one place in a short time and at a low cost.

How does it work? Watch our video.

On the one hand, for example, a power plant employee in MS Hololens headset goes through a physical environment that is automatically reconstructed in 3D and transmitted to servers. They process the acquired data and create a virtual copy of that environment into which an unlimited number of “remote experts” from different parts of the world can enter. All connected users (in VR and physical environment) then see each other’s “avatars”.

The system works both online and offline and also allows asynchronous communication in case of poor internet connection or necessity of cooperation in different time zones.

With a user-friendly environment, you can directly in a shared virtual reality:

• copy and paste high-resolution images and videos
• compare, measure and interact with colleagues in a real-time
• take notes, write messages, track tasks and chat with colleagues
• select, insert and compare blueprints and 3D models to the VR environment

On the other side of the world, remote coordinators can in VR headset, for example, XTAL from VRgineers manage, monitor and record user activity. The holographic tables offer a perfect overview of communication and a shared virtual environment.

About Pocket Virtuality

Pocket Virtuality is a Czech start-up developing technically challenging, unique applications for augmented and virtual reality on its own server-client platform (Fata Morgana) for a number of industries (eg engineering, automotive or power engineering), smart cities and medicine.

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

The Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform can now be used inside the ultra high-resolution, total immersion XTAL environment.

LOS ANGELES and PRAGUE, 31. 10. 2019 – VRgineers has officially announced that Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including its popular applications CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA and SIMULIA, is now compatible with the XTAL VR system. By adding support of Dassault Systèmes’ platform to the XTAL platform, engineers are now able to utilize a powerful VR solution capable of total immersion for the powerful 3DEXPERIENCE platform, instead of being required to invest in a costly Powerwall, projection systems and cluster infrastructure.

“With its ultra-high resolution visuals and peripheral vision-filling field-of-view, XTAL allows users to make better decisions in color and trim, because fine material details can be clearly seen and evaluated. Our clients also see a benefit in perceived quality reviews where gap measurements and tolerance simulations are judged based on their effect on the subjective, perceived build quality of a product,” said Marek Polčák, VRgineers Co-founder and CEO.

With immediate support for all non-administrative applications on Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, XTAL will initially enable basic VR functionality, meaning full control of navigation, measurements, sections and more.

XTAL offers high resolution and an excellent optical system. While many use cases in engineering and manufacturing can easily be fulfilled with consumer-grade VR devices, there is a clear need for better visual quality in the design domain, for example vehicle interior reviews with regards to color and trim design.

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

For more information about VRgineers, please visit  https://vrgineers.com. Images and company executive bios are available at: https://vrgineers.com/media.

You can find more pictures here.

VRgineers and R3DT Announce a Convenient Package for Industrial Production Planning and Review in Virtual Reality with Leap Motion Hand Tracking

KARLSRUHE, PRAGUE, LOS ANGELES, September 17, 2019 – VRgineers, a leading developer and manufacturer of enterprise-grade VR solutions, and R3DT, a VR software provider for virtual prototyping, today announced a partnership that will enable the two companies to deliver a convenient hardware and software package for industrial engineers that need to plan for and review their production processes.  

The XTAL VR system from VRgineers is known in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries for its ability to deliver lifelike picture quality over a peripheral vision-filling 170-degree field-of-view. Integrated with Leap Motion technology, it allows users to seamlessly control the virtual environment and interact with objects. The quality visuals and precise hand-tracking capabilities make XTAL an ideal VR system for R3DT’s virtual prototyping software for industrial engineers. 

“Virtual prototypes, unlike physical ones, are easy-to-use and inexpensive,” said Achim Schneider, co-founder and managing director of R3DT. “XTAL is a great tool that brings the benefits of visual clarity and wide FOV to our clients, thus making our user-friendly VR tool even more convenient.” 

“Smart companies use resources wisely: VR shortens time-to-market because it makes it possible for companies to design, test and make changes fast and effectively while allowing experts to maximize their productivity. XTAL is a perfect fit for a variety of enterprise/industrial applications, including what R3DT is doing,” said Marek Polčák, co-founder and CEO of VRgineers. 

Seamless control of the virtual environment and interaction with objects is enabled through the integration of Leap Motion, which recently joined forces with Ultrahaptics. Hand tracking is essential to the future of VR. VRgineers is pushing the envelope of what’s possible in VR image quality and fidelity.  Embedding the Leap Motion controller and software adds a new dimension of immersion and realism to the overall experience.  

Alex Driskill-Smith, President, North America at Ultrahaptics, said: “We are happy to support the collaboration between VRgineers and R3DT, and supply them with the latest and most accurate hand tracking technology Leap Motion has ever offered. We have worked closely with VRgineers since 2017 and are looking forward to being part of their future VR projects .”  

As a part of the partnership, current XTAL customers will get a special discount for all R3DT licenses in VRgineers partner´s network. 

______________ 

About R3DT  

R3DT offers the most user-friendly VR tool for industrial engineering. Its software is used in many contexts, such as ergonomics, the layout and planning of factories, product development, and plant construction, as well as in technical sales. In early planning phases, R3DT virtual prototypes help to avoid errors that are otherwise difficult to identify while shortening the development phase. With R3DT, elaborate mockups and real prototypes become superfluous. The bottom line is that users save a lot of time and money. Customers include world-renowned manufacturers and suppliers like Bosch, Continental, Daimler, Eberspaecher, ebm-papst, Festo, Sick, Trumpf, Valeo and ZF Friedrichshafen. Some use cases of the VR tool are described here. 

About Ultrahaptics 

Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion’s combined expertise creates the world’s leading spatial interaction company, enabling the creation of next-generation user interfaces and driving new forms of contactless interactive products. 

Ultrahaptics is the world’s leading mid-air haptics company. The company’s unique technology enables users to receive tactile feedback without the need for keyboards, controllers or touchscreens. Leap Motion’s unprecedented hand tracking technology – a combined suite of software and hardware – lets you reach into virtual and augmented reality to interact with new worlds in a physically intuitive way. 

About VRgineers 

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles. 

For more information about VRgineers, please visit  https://vrgineers.com. Images and company executive bios are available at: https://vrgineers.com/media.  

See more: 

Use case: R3DT – MEET YOUR REALITY 

VRgineers and Precismo Simplify the Digitalization of Retail Products for VR Product Placement and Shopping

Combining the XTAL VR headset with Precismo scanning technology, brands can now quickly and cost-effectively digitize retail products for product placement and virtual shopping in VR

LOS ANGELES and PRAGUE, July 23, 2019 – VRgineers, makers of powerful VR solutions capable of total immersion, today announced that it has teamed up with Czech startup Precismo to streamline and simplify the digitizing of physical products for the virtual world. Unveiling at SIGGRAPH 2019, the two companies will demonstrate a prototype of how using the XTAL VR headset and proprietary 3D object scanning technology allows brands to quickly and cost-effectively digitize retail products, allowing customers to interact with them in virtual reality.

The technology developed by Precismo allows brands to scan and digitize their products as 3D virtual models. This process ensures that the captured materials of the subject appear photorealistic and the materials are presented with their natural characteristics, like leather grains, textures and more, in digital form. Unlike ordinary 3D scanners, this new system is completely automated and time-optimized.

This new proof-of-concept created by VRgineers and Precismo has many possible uses. Since it can digitize a large number of items efficiently and automatically, the system can be used in a wide range of industries that make use of AR and VR, such as marketing, e-commerce, quality control assurance, gaming and artificial intelligence. 

Marek Polčák, co-founder and CEO of VRgineers, believes the system has the opportunity to benefit retail. “By combining a high-quality 3D scanner and a high-end VR headset, it is possible to digitize the retail process and prepare all marketing analytics in VR,” Polčák says. “Currently, if you want to know how consumers react to the different elements of a shopping experience, you have put them in front of an empty store, display goods, and monitor their reactions. With our approach, this entire process can be moved to the digital realm.”

“Our goal as a company is to connect with the industry’s most exciting and influential brands to innovate unique products. Working with VRgineers was a simple decision because their XTAL HMD offers an incredibly precise viewing experience with a level of realism that is second-to-none,” says Mikolas Herskovic, CEO of Precismo. “Of all the VR headsets we have tried, XTAL came out on top and perfectly recreates the 3D models our technology creates.”

You can find photos of product renderings created by Precismo as viewed on XTAL here.

VRgneers Demoing this Proof of Concept at Siggraph 2019

The proof-of-concept created in collaboration with Precismo will be just one of the many exciting new experiences VRgineers will present at SIGGRAPH 2019, one of the world’s largest gatherings of researchers, artists and practitioners of computer graphics and interactive techniques. 

VRgineers’ XTAL VR system will be empowering other VR/MR demonstrations at SIGGRAPH 2019. Another exciting showcase of the XTAL VR system will be the Fata Morgana demonstration at the Pocket Virtuality booth. “This technology uses two worlds – augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Specifically, in the case of AR, it works with a Hololens headset from Microsoft, which can display virtual objects through a transparent display over the real world. At the same time, thanks to cameras and sensors, it is able to record the real world,” says VRgineers sales director Kristian Gambiraza. Pocket Virtuality can capture a physical environment and digitize it. With built-in memory, it transfers information to a server or cloud after the headset is connected to Wi-Fi. From there, the digitized real world is transmitted to the recipient who is wearing the XTAL VR headset. 

Click here for images and company executive bios. 

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

VRgineers Reveals Augmented Reality Module Prototype That Makes XTAL the First Enterprise Mixed Reality Headset Capable of Total Immersion

Featuring Wide-Angle Camera Sensors, the new AR module for XTAL allows users to see their actual hands interact with real physical objects in virtual reality

Prague, May 27, 2019 – VRgineers, today announced a new lightweight augmented reality vision and tracking module for its industry-leading XTAL VR headset, making XTAL the most advanced mixed reality (MR) system ever created, and the only enterprise-grade MR system capable of total immersion. Weighing in at only 42 grams, VRgineers’ new augmented reality module features high-quality camera sensors with wide lenses for a natural and immersive 360-degree field-of-view, and adds hand tracking, inside out tracking, and virtual and augmented reality switching to XTAL’s broad list of capabilities.

For the first time ever, XTAL customers can see their own hands interact with real objects in the virtual world!

The first market segments to benefit from the new AR module, are automotive and aerospace. “The fascinating thing is that we are building the software system that allows you to combine the best functions and capabilities of AR with the VR world,” said Marek Polcak, VRgineers Co-Founder. ”With our new module and SDK, AR and VR developers will be able to flawlessly combine real physical objects, including their own hands, with virtual reality.”

Currently, XTAL utilizes state-of-the-art LEAP Motion tracking that allows customers to utilize gesture control and hand tracking in their VR applications. VRgineers’ new module maintains the benefits afforded by the LEAP Motion system for purely VR applications, but expands upon those features for mixed reality applications by combining elements of the physical and virtual world into an immersive, natural experience. With VRgineers’ new AR module, XTAL users will be able to experience natural hands-on interaction with real-world things, like fighter jet cockpits or vehicle dashboard prototypes, while a realistic virtual world is created around them and the physical objects.

One of the most unique features afforded by the new AR module prototype for XTAL is inside out tracking, which is a method of positional tracking commonly used in virtual reality technologies, specifically for tracking the position of head-mounted displays (HMDs) and motion controller accessories. It differentiates itself from outside-in tracking by the location of the cameras and other sensors that are used to determine objects’ positions in space. With inside-out positional tracking, the sensors are located on the device being tracked, whereas outside-in tracking places the sensors at stationary external locations.

Why have inside-out tracking?

Inside-out tracking technology allows XTAL to provide an impressive AR experience in all environments, even those with limited space, such as in a simulator or cockpit. However, VRgineers hasn’t written-off outside-in tracking. In fact, VRgineers will allow data fusion of both tracking methods in order to maximize positional accuracy in large studios or HoloDeck environments.

Partners that have been conducting ongoing research and development with VRgineers, will be among the first to gain access to beta version of VRgineers’ new AR module for XTAL later this year. Those partners will contain mix of companies from aerospace, automotive and simulation market segments and will have the unique opportunity to be a part of the company’s expanded testing, helping to further enhance the performance and capabilities of the XTAL system.

Any company that would like to become part of the the XTAL beta program or believes that their business can benefit from the capabilities afforded by lifelike VR or MR applications, is encouraged to contact VRgineers at armodule@vrgineers.com.

For more information about the new augmented reality module or the ultra-high resolution XTAL headset, visit our page. Images and company executive bios are available here.

About VRgineers

VRgineers, Inc. is a virtual reality engineering company developing and manufacturing cutting-edge enterprise-grade VR gear for professionals. Its new generation high-resolution VR headset platform is used by clients in the automotive, architecture, industrial design, and training sectors, enabling them to transform their work using VR technology. The company is headquartered in Prague with a U.S. office in Los Angeles. 

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